By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, has urged researchers and innovators to explore practical solutions to address complexity in the emerging technologies.
Minister Justine Lumumba argues that for research to be impactful to the country, it must translate into ideas and innovation that solve real technological needs.
She made the call on September 24, 2026, at the tenth edition of National Conference on communications organized by Uganda Communications Commission and hosted by Makerere University, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
While officiating the opening ceremony, Minister Lumumba tasked all researchers and innovators to scale-up market driven research and innovation that address the economic needs of the country in addition to addressing digital abuses resulting from use of digital systems.
Hon. Kasule Lumumba also called on government to offer tax waiver on communication infrastructures and announced that very soon she will table it before cabinet for consideration.
“There is need to reduce taxes on smart phones. This is intended to increase digital literacy, “Minister Lumumba said.
The Executive Director Uganda Communications Commission, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, reminded researchers that their research must go beyond knowledge generation, emphasizing that it must provide practical solutions that spur Uganda’s development. He added that Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) remains committed to offering it’s regulatory role.
The Principal of College of Engineering Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, called on researchers strengthen their relationship with innovators and industry operators, so as to be able to push academic research to the wider market.
